tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62482042426289362962017-12-13T14:11:45.262+00:00DirdemCampaign for Direct DemocracyHeinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.comBlogger248125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-56025602828177392062017-11-29T09:50:00.001+00:002017-11-29T09:51:24.682+00:00Take spending power away from Politicians"<span style="background-color: white; color: #424858; font-family: &quot;gotham narrow ssm 4r&quot; , &quot;arial&quot;; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">It's becoming more and more clear to that disapproving public that members of Congress from both parties see holding office as a means to control the power of the purse to reward friends and attack enemies. Cutting spending means cutting what they see as their rightful power. So they'll never really do it. Our money and wealth is theirs to use as they please, even against us. This is one very ugly definition of tyranny"</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #424858; font-family: &quot;gotham narrow ssm 4r&quot; , &quot;arial&quot;; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #424858; font-family: &quot;gotham narrow ssm 4r&quot; , &quot;arial&quot;; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Only a hefty dose of Direct Democracy can insure that taxpayers are not fleeced!</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #424858; font-family: &quot;gotham narrow ssm 4r&quot; , &quot;arial&quot;; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/28/on-tax-reform-democrats-have-already-won-the-battle-commentary.html">On tax reform, Democrats have already won the battle—Commentary</a>Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-7302422088762669622017-11-16T08:18:00.002+00:002017-11-16T08:19:14.942+00:00$450 Mio Leonardo Painting - who pays any tax?Let people believe what they want, I would always be very suspicious of paintings that do not have an iron-clad 'provenence'. But given the (rising) outrage over inequality one wonders what the tax implications of such a wondrous rise in value are. Surely the painting has been 'domiciled' in some tax haven, but in a better regulated world the seller would be charged capital gains tax. So why are our (idiot) politicians not able to close the loopholes and allow the footloose rich to run rings around our tax laws?<br /><a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/states-are-targeting-art-collectors-who-dont-pay-taxes-2017-09-18" target="_blank">Marketwatch</a>Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-35058550916322339512017-11-02T08:13:00.000+00:002017-11-02T08:13:03.152+00:00Witch Hunts fashionable againOn a day when Facebook celebrates another bumper profit and Twitter is still on the rampage one has to ask why the modern form of witch hunt can gather more and more support, aided by a gullible media desperate for headlines.<br />Unsubstantiated accusations - and to top it off based on trivial incidents that would not raise an eyebrow from any sane person - get accepted at facevalue. Accused are denied any legal recourse or protection by the (fake) privacy laws that are disregarded when it suits the Political Establishment.<br /><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/uk-politics-41839811">BBC</a>Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-91716126829187676712017-11-02T08:05:00.001+00:002017-11-02T08:06:45.555+00:00Fascism alive in Spain, EUBlatant disregard of democratic decision has form in the EU. Catalonia, Brexit demonstrate how 'Elites' in Nation States try to cling on to their powerbase.Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-27860516421227825562017-11-01T08:01:00.001+00:002017-11-01T08:02:42.583+00:00Facebook to double (Political?) 'Safety and Security Staff'And there are already 10,000 staff toiling in this department - fine line divides it from (private) censorship. The future does look Orwellian! And who controls Facebook? It is an oligopoly! Who controls what you are 'fed' (yes, we are basically like animals for the 'Masters of the Universe' controlling the Web).<br /><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/31/facebook-senate-testimony-doubling-security-group-to-20000-in-2018.html">CNBC</a><br /><br /><br />Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-82164193825374492352017-10-22T12:41:00.001+01:002017-10-22T12:41:51.585+01:00Tax Havens: Drain the Swamp!Given that politicians try to suck the last bit of blood out of taxpayer's working income it is repellent that the rich who can afford to relocate to tax havens get treated so leniently. It is high time that all payments to tax havens are charged a substantial (30%?) withholding tax that these tax tourists can then apply against any tax charge in their domicile.<br /><a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/business/billionaire-owners-of-specsavers-hit-by-slide-in-take-home-pay-5p8wwkx99" target="_blank">Sunday Times (Paywall)</a>Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-84459957085589198002017-10-21T19:02:00.001+01:002017-10-22T12:55:09.766+01:00Private Schools: When to take Charity Status awayA few days ago a headmaster at a leading UK Private School said that he could fill all places with overseas students if he would wish to do so.<br /><div>That he is not doing it may seem to be altruistic, but I guess the public backlash would be just to violent to contemplate.</div><div>But it is still remarkable how large the foreign contingent has become during the recent few years. Maybe this is due to excessive greed shown by headmasters and their 'trustees' (usually harmless bigwigs that eat from the headmasters's hand).</div><div>Is this not pure commercialism and would it not be appropriate to treat these 'Private' Schools as businesses for tax purposes?</div><div>The fees that are being charged are being pushed to astronomical levels due to the demand pressure from foreign student applications. How can one justify 15 or 20000 pounds per annum for non-boarders? Assuming class sizes of 20 and one teacher per class (pro rata), add minimal admin staff (no headmasters sitting idly in the office, pontificating, not doing any teaching at all), some costs for property (who needs five-star luxury, labs where students play around without learning a craft in the end) and one arrives at 100-120000 pounds per class, that results in about 5-6000 pounds per place.</div><div>Question: where do the remaining 10000+ pounds go to? Excessive teacher salaries? Unnecessary facilities, dubious purchasing policies?</div><div>No one knows, or has any ordinary parent ever had access to full and audited accounts of a Private School?<br /><a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/business/focus-best-of-british-as-elite-public-schools-tap-up-wealthy-chinese-pupils-a3662236.html">Evening Standard</a></div>Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-8738853198620633422017-10-18T09:18:00.001+01:002017-10-18T09:19:49.099+01:00Charity Donation: the ultimate tax loopholeNo wonder that inequality is rising - the rich, and even more so the super rich, can in effect 'privatise' their tax dollars by squirrelling their fortunes into 'foundations' and 'trusts' that prevent proper inheritance taxes to be applied. Can Soros' institute really be called a charity? Who decides what the money is spent on? Who manages the foundation/charity? Why can ordinary workers not apply the same to their pay-cheques? Maybe a foundation to care for the elderly (their ailing parents) or their pets? And then call themselves 'philantropists' as well?<br /><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/17/philanthropist-george-soros-donates-most-of-his-net-worth-to-charity.html">CNBC</a><br /><br /><br />Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-32100412194583050192017-10-17T14:05:00.001+01:002017-10-17T14:06:02.051+01:00Everyday Fascism - in FranceSo our rulers have decreed to chop another bit of freedom away from us. Who has ever really been damaged by catcalls? If there is no damage (except imagined by some extreme 'feminists') there should be no law against it. And the process of how these 'laws' are decreed is deeply undemocratic, no vote, no qualified majority. Hitler/Stalin and Mao could live with this, so what is the problem? Ugly women feel discriminated against?<br /><a href="https://uk.style.yahoo.com/men-france-fined-spot-catcalling-102537667.html">Yahoo</a>Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-49430832447613048802017-10-16T08:28:00.001+01:002017-10-16T08:29:22.749+01:00Global Citizen: clever labelling, but what say do 'Citizens' have?What should one read into the name of this organization? Do the 'Citizens' have any say? Who controls the money? What benefit do the performers enjoy? They may work for free or not, but in any case they should PAY for the privilege of being associated with what they consider a good cause (otherwise they have at the very least the benefit of free advertising). Apart from that, the easy access that promoters or NGO's and Celebrities get to politicians is cause for concern and another reason why Direct Democracy needs to be introduced as a safeguard to any potential abuses of power.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/10/global-citizen-founder-hugh-evans-on-how-to-end-extreme-poverty.html">CNBC</a>Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-85687951298233292492017-10-09T19:00:00.001+01:002017-10-09T19:01:28.108+01:00Everyday FascismSo this is the land of the Free?<br /><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/zerohedge/feed/~3/8aj3w8boUis/cowboys-owner-jerry-jones-players-will-be-benched-disrespecting-flag">Zerohedge</a>Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-41498381614572658492017-10-09T09:36:00.001+01:002017-10-09T09:37:33.797+01:00Is Donald Trump a 'Moron'?As there probably was not hidden camera to tell us whether or not Rex Tillerson said that Trump is a moron we will never know the truth. But is the behaviour worth of a President of the USA?<br /><a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-says-tossing-paper-towels-in-puerto-rico-was-fun-blasts-media-criticism-2017-10-08">Marketwatch</a>Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-66203790514955324582017-09-27T08:35:00.001+01:002017-09-27T08:35:35.235+01:00Catalonia, Kurdistan - Democracy under siegeEstablishment in furious attack on Direct Democracy! This must not be allowed to go on for much longer!<br /><br /><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/26/spain-rajoy-meets-trump-catalonia-crisis.html">Rajoy, Trump gang up on Catalonia</a>Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-82191738315829160682017-09-20T08:34:00.001+01:002017-09-20T08:34:35.798+01:00Unaccountable Plutocrats hijack DemocracyNot sure why billionaires want to congregate and 'discuss' the problems that they - the Establishment - have created in the first place. Direct Democracy would go a long way to limit their influence. Media that is controlled by a few rich individuals should be brought under stringent anti-trust control.<br /><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/19/nyregion/bill-hillary-clinton-global-initiative-mike-bloomberg.html?partner=rss&amp;emc=rss">As the Clintons Step Back From Global Stage, Bloomberg Steps Up</a>Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-20074029756391803992017-09-17T10:06:00.001+01:002017-09-17T10:07:30.000+01:00Constitution in time of Plutocrats and Celebrity PoliticsDirect Democracy would help to alleviate the worst problems associated with growing Inequality and the Celebrity culture (promoted by the very few plutocrats who control our media). More rigorous control of terms, dispersing power away from single individuals (see Ancient Rome with two Consuls, or Switzerland with a collegium of ministers instead of a President) would be additional safeguards.<br /><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/16/opinion/sunday/constitution-economy.html?ref=todayspaper" target="_blank">New York Times: Our Constitution wasn't built for this</a>Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-39831458708686986712017-08-27T19:31:00.001+01:002017-08-27T19:31:57.435+01:00Macron Spent $30,000 On Makeup In Three MonthsMarie Antoinette would be so proud of him! Why do our Pseudo-Democracies give so much power to single politicians, be they called Merkel, Macron, May or Trump? The Ancient Romans or the Venetian Republic had more sense, as has present-day Switzerland<br /><br /><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/zerohedge/feed/~3/3MzuxZSXfco/macron-spent-30000-makeup-three-months">Macron Spent $30,000 On Makeup In Three Months</a>Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-19291611908514341212017-08-23T13:04:00.001+01:002017-08-23T13:04:52.886+01:00Dirdem will also defend ConsumersThe pathetic message below has recently been displayed on the Yahoo website. There is a massive lack of protection for the Consumer interests. Establishment politics does not enact proper privacy laws and there is no way that consumers as a group can influence such terms and conditions. Dirdem will campaign on both levels to change this.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="background-color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.8); color: white; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Yahoo is now part of ‘Oath’ and a member of the Verizon family of companies. As of 15 September 2017, we plan to share some user information within our new family</span><br /><br /><!--StartFragment--><!--EndFragment-->Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-91819056039702018742017-08-21T18:50:00.001+01:002017-08-21T18:50:29.294+01:00Re-invigorate and strengthen DemocracyAll we need it give Direct Democracy a chance! Trust people not politicians that are on ego trips!<br /><br /><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/clusterstock/~3/N1LKxZjqTVM/bridgewater-founder-ray-dalio-is-worried-about-democracy-2017-8">Ray Dalio, the founder of the world's largest hedge fund, is worried that democracy is being threatened</a>Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-1599812686566778792017-08-21T15:11:00.001+01:002017-08-21T15:11:50.040+01:00Thousands Sign Petition to Replace Confederate Monument with Statue of Rapper Missy ElliottUnfettered Direct Democracy leads to absurd results. That's why any referendum has to be subject to strict rules of conduct, meaningful quorum, approptiate time for debate.<br /><br /><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/breitbart/~3/TcR1C584LPc/">Thousands Sign Petition to Replace Confederate Monument with Statue of Rapper Missy Elliott</a>Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-43688282504880678212017-08-20T10:44:00.001+01:002017-08-20T10:45:08.946+01:00Direct Democray will hold Lobbies at bayPlutocrats control the Government in the United States, separation of powers goes not far enough, the history since independence is scandal-ridden despite the near-religious status of the Constitution. Direct Democracy on all levels, esp the top, will improve matters.<br /><a href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/08/28/carl-icahns-failed-raid-on-washington">http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/08/28/carl-icahns-failed-raid-on-washington</a>Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-74002324860116906932017-08-01T09:13:00.001+01:002017-08-01T09:14:13.607+01:00Sham 'Consultations' no substitute for DemocracyGovernments love to prove their democratic credentials by holding 'consultations' on any legislative project. But usually the general public - apart from the off activists or self-interested lobbies - is blissfully ignorant of these exercises. And no one is any the wiser or aware what impact his or her input really had.<br />Just take a look at this EU-inspired consultation and try to monitor what effect - if any - it had.<br /><a href="https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/content/consultation-initiative-combatting-fraud-counterfeiting-non-cash-payment_en" target="_blank">https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/content/consultation-initiative-combatting-fraud-counterfeiting-non-cash-payment_en</a><br /><br /><br />Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-68920419175856129882017-07-30T13:00:00.001+01:002017-07-30T13:00:32.182+01:00How 'Leaders' should NOT be anointed!Passing the baton to the next politician - or the brother, even worse - should not happen in a proper democracy. Only elaborate and clearly defined routines - see Papacy, Venice or Ancient Rome for examples - should be in place to avoid any undue accumulation of power. Putin, Erdogan, the Bush or Trudeau familes would hate it, good so!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/29/world/asia/shehbaz-sharif-pakistan-prime-minister.html?ref=todayspaper">https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/29/world/asia/shehbaz-sharif-pakistan-prime-minister.html?ref=todayspaper</a></div>Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-20743130035088880492017-07-25T08:09:00.001+01:002017-07-25T08:10:09.943+01:00Poland, Hungary, Turkey, Venezuela - 'Strong Men' need controlThese countries have one thing in common: A Strong Man wants to impose his will against the wishes of a major part of the citizens. Of course there can be no mob rule either and decisions need to be made. But important decisions need to be supported by a significant majority and there needs to be a way to discuss policies so that no minority gets oppressed. Direct Democracy and clear separation of powers allow that the worst mistakes are prevented.<br /><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/07/24/polands-president-defies-government-vetoes-controversial-judiciary/">Poland's president defies government as he vetoes controversial judiciary reforms</a>Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-41299054233862692442017-07-23T18:15:00.001+01:002017-07-23T18:15:30.165+01:00We are ruled by Idiots - another Iran Sanctions Bill<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/3203/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22Russia+Sanctions%5C%22%22%5D%7D&amp;r=1">https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/3203/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22Russia+Sanctions%5C%22%22%5D%7D&amp;r=1</a>Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248204242628936296.post-58220740941928649722017-07-23T17:54:00.001+01:002017-07-23T17:54:34.038+01:00Gary Lineker's payOne should rather say that the BBC negotiators are too soft, not to say stupid. BBC clearly is a state enterprise, the 'independent' status is a sham. So central government is in charge and should set pay policy. Same can be said for 'independent' Universities.<br />Also poor personnel policies: to see what the right price for Lineker is one should open the books for applications, at £200000 for starters. Interview candidates, including Lineker is he wants to apply for his job. Possibly hold beauty contest on TV and let viewers select the winning applicant - do this every 2 years to keep fresh faces on TV.<br /><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/07/20/gary-linekers-agent-says-bbc-pay-gap-may-caused-women-representing/">Gary Lineker's agent says BBC pay gap may be caused by women using female agents who are 'not as tough'</a>Heinz Geyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074243078564794000noreply@blogger.com0